Web positioning mechanism



May 10, 1932. c. J. ROWE WEB POSITIONING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 10, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l CLEMENTJ. ROWE.

May 10, 1932. c, ROWE; 1,857,214

WEB POSITIONING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 10. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a EME/VTJ R0 WE ATTORNEY May 10, 1932. Q J RQWE 1,857,214

WEB POSITIONING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 10, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENT'OR (LEMDVTJ. ROWE.

ATTORN EY May 10, 1932-v c. J. ROWE WEB POSITIONING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 10. 192 6 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Suva do; CLEMENT J. ROWE.

flttouwq Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLEMENT J. ROWE, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE EGBY REGISTER COMPANY,

- OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION 01 OHIO POSITIONING MECHANISM Application filed August 10, 1928. Serial No. 128,482.

This invention relates to a web positioning mechanism for a manifolding machine and is designed primarily for use w1th a typewriting-machine of the kind commonly known as a billing machine with which a plurality of superimposed webs having similar forms printed thereon may be typed simultaneously.

One object of the invention is to provide a mechanism whereby the several superimposed webs may be accurately positioned with relation one to the other so as to cause the printed forms on'the several webs to register one with the other.

A further object of the invention is to provide such "a mechanism in the form of an attachment which may be applied to an existing manifolding machine with but little modification of that machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism having means for first acting upon the webs to accurately pos1- tion the same and for then clamping said webs against all movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a positioning mechanism by means of which superimposed continuous webs may be taken from a unit roll and accurately positioned on the writing table of the manifolding machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism which will be simnle in its construction and operation and of a strong durable character.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the mechanism is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a manifolding machine showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of such a machine, partly broken away; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the writing table and the operating mechanism; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken centrallv of the writing table and operating mechanism: Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view showing the positioning pins and the forward clam Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view showing the rear clamping devices; Fig. 8 is a detail view -to or to release the same.

of a portion of one of the webs; and Fig. 9 is a. detail view of the guide plate.

In these drawin s I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as applied to abilling machine of a well known construction but it will be understood that the positioning mechanism may take various forms and may be utilized in connection with manifolding machinesof various kinds.

The particular manifolding machine here shown comprises a base or standard 10 having at its upper end a frame comprising parallel side bars or rails 12 which are connected one to the other by transverse frame members 13 and 14. The side frame members or rails 12 form a support or track for the typewriter, not here shown, which is capable of bodily movement on these rails over a writing table or fiat platen 15 on which 7 may be supported a plurality of superimposed webs 16. Sheets of carbon paper 17 are interleaved between the several webs of paper 16 and, as here shown, these carbon sheets are supported in a roll carried by a shaft 18 at one side of the frame and rewound on a second shaft 19 on the other side of the frame. A clamping device cooperates with the rear end of the table 15 to secure the webs thereto during the typing operation. For this purpose a pair of fixed clamps are mounted at the rear end of the machine and comprise brackets 20 rigidly secured to the transverse frame member 14. These brackets are provided at their upper ends with clamping plates 21 which extend forwardly over'the rear edge of the table 15 and have laterally extending portions beneath which the several webs may be inserted. The table 15 is movable so that the rear edge thereof may be moved toward and from the fixed clamping members to clamp the webs there- To this end the table is pivotally supported at its forward end and in this particular machine the table 95 has at its forward end pins 22 which extend downwardly through apertured lugs 23 projecting rearwardly from the forward transverse frame member 13. The apertures in these lugs are of such asize that the pins 22 will have a slight tilting movement therein sufficient to enable the desired movement to be imparted to the rear edge of the table. Springs 24 are coiled about the lower portions of the pins 22 and confined between the lugs 23 and washers 25 on the lower portions of the pins and serve to hold the forward edge of the table against the In s. When necessary one or more shims maly e inserted between the lugs and the tab e to osition the table to the desired height. The rear portion of the table is supported and actuated by arms 27 mounted on a shaft 28 and having at their forward ends contact portions or rollers 29 engaging the lower surface of the table. Arms 30 are mounted on the shaft 28 and extend forwith the shaft 32 are forwardly extending arms 34 havin their forward ends curved upwardly, as s own at 35, and mountedon the upper ends of these arms is a clamping bar 36. The forward portions of the web" which are supported on the table15 extend between the portions 35 of the arms 34 and beneath the clamping bar. 36 and when this bar is moved downwardly the webs will be clamped between the same and the upper inclined portion 37 of the transverse frame member 13. Mounted in the forwardly extending arms 30 is a shaft 38 on which is pivotally mounted an actuating lever 39 which is substantially U-shape in form, and the rear transverse portion of which is connected by a rod 40 with a foot lever 41 mounted on the base 10. The forward portions of the side members of the actuating lever extend beneath the shaft 32 and are adapted to fulcrum thereon when the rear end of the lever is moved downwardly. Thus the operation of the foot lever will cause the arms 30 to be depressed and the table supporting wardly so as to clamp the webs in position and hold the same against movement during the typing operation. The mech anism so far described is a part ofthe billing macihne and forms no part of the present invention except in so far as the various parts thereof enter into combination with the positioning mechanism.

In order to accurately position the several superimposed webs with relation one to the other, as contemplated by the present invention, I have provided means for acting on the forward portions of the several webs to position the latter with relation one to the other. To this end the several webs are provided at the forward ends of the respective forms thereon with apertures 45 which are so arranged that when the printed forms on the several webs register one with the other the apertures will also register one with the other. The positioning device preferably comprises pins 46 arranged adjacent to the forward edge of the table and adapted to extend through the apertures 45 in the several webs when the forward edges of these webs have been drawn forward to approximately position the webs on the table 15. In the present construction the pins are mounted in bearing brackets 47 which are secured to a rock shaft 48 mounted in bearing lugs 49 rigidly secured to and extending rearwardly from the transverse member 13. A spring 50 acts on the rock shaft 48 to hold the pins 46 normally in substantially vertical positions. After the webs have been drawn forward and i ,the apertured portions thereof engaged over the pins 46 the latter are moved forwardly about the axis of the shaft 48, thus causing the pins to engage the forward edges of the apertures and move the apertures into perfect alinement one with the other, thereby bringing the printed forms of the several webs into accurate registration. The pins and the apertures both being round the action of the pins on the webs will serve to position the webs laterally as well as longitudinally. The positioning pins may be actuated in any suitable manner but I prefer to utilize the clamping bar 36 as an actuating device for these pins and for this purpose I have provided that actuating bar with apertures 51 arranged to receive the pins 46, and have beveled the upper ends of the pins, as shown at 52, the arrangement being such that when the clamping bar is moved downwardly the upperends of the pins will enter the apertures in the bar and the rear edges of these apertures will engage the beveled ends of the pins and move the latter forwardly, thus effecting the proper positioning of the webs. The further movement of the clamping bar will cause the forward portions of the webs to be clamped between that bar and the upper edge 37 of the transverse frame member 13. It is essential that the web should be free for movement during the positioning operation and therefore that the rear edge of the table should not be so actuated as to clamp the webs against the clamping members 21 until the clamping bar 36 has completed or practically completed its downward movement. In order to secure the proper timing of the clamping operations with relation to the positioning operation I have provided means for modifying the action of the operating mechanism of the manifolding machine which has set screw 58. The forward end of the toggle arm 54 is pivotally connected with the rear end of a second toggle arm 59,,the forward end of which extends upwardly'and is provided with a hook shaped portion 60 which engages over the upper edge of the adjacent side member of the actuating lever 39, the upper edge of the toggle arm 59 being held adjacent to or in contact with the shaft 38.

. When the foot lever is actuated to move the actuating lever {39 downwardly these toggles will be operated and will serve to impart an increased movement to the table supporting arms 27. When the foot lever is released the table supporting arms and the clamp bar 36 will be actuated but the positions of these parts is such that the clamping bar will engage and actuate the positioning pins before the table supporting arms have elevated the table far enough to clamp the webs against the clamping members 21, thus insuring the proper positioning of the webs before they are clamped to the table.

The webs of paper may be of any suitable length and may comprise either a short web or sheet, containing a single form, or a continuous web containing a large number of forms, and the term web as herein employed, is intended to include either a continuous web or a sheet of paper. In the device as here shown I have employed a continuous web, the several webs being wound in superimposed relation on a unit roll 61. As here shown, this unit roll is supported by hangers 62 supported from a tie rod 63 extending between the rear ends of the side rails 12 and having at their lower ends hook shaped bearings 64 to receive the shaft 65 of the unit roll. The winding of the superimposed webs on the unit roll will cause the printed forms on the several webs to be positioned out of longitudinal registration one with the other on the roll. In. order that the webs may be brought into longitudinal registration on the writing table 15 the unit roll is spaced some distance from that table so as to permit of more or less slack in the lower webs, as shown in Fig. 1, thus enabling the forms on these portions of the webs which are supported on the writing table 15 to be moved into perfect registration. Preferably the several webs are extended throu h indi vidual guide slots 66 formed in a gui e plate 67 mounted on the frame members 12 in the rear of the writing table. Where one of the webs is of less width than the others the corresponding guide slot in the plate 67 is made of a width corresponding to the width of the narrow web, as shown at 68, and is so arranged as to properly position this narrow web with relation to the other webs. In this manner, the several webs are delivered tothe writing table in lateral registration and any lateral displacement of the forward portions of the several webs is corrected by the positioning pins. v

In the operation of the mechanism the several superimposed webs are withdrawn from the unit roll, carried through the guide slots in the guide plate, interleaved with the carbon sheets and the forward ends thereof arranged in approximate alinement' and engaged over the pins 46, the foot lever, of course, having been previously depressed to move the clamping devices into their inoperative positions. .After the webs have been engaged with the positioning pins the foot lever is released and the operating mechanism is actuated by the springs 44to cause the clamping bar 36 to first engage the positioning pins and cause the same to accurately position the several webs with relation one to the other and to then clamp the forward portions of the webs against the fixed frame member 13. During this operation the table supporting arms 27 move upwardly and their movement is so timed that the webs will be pressed into engagement with the clamping members 21 after the positioning operation has been completed and the Webs will thus be firmly clamped at both ends. Upon the completion of the typing operation the foot lever is again depressed to release the webs and these are grasped by the operator and drawn forward until another pair of apertures may be engaged with the positioning pins and after the webs have again been positioned and clamped the first mentioned portions of the webs, which then extend beyond the clamping bar, are severed therefrom. In the present apparatus, the forward portion of the clamping bar has a cutting edge along. which the typed portions of the web may be severed by a tearing operation.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Havingnow full described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a mechanism of the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed webs. means to engage said webs and position the same with relation one to the other, a clamping device to-engage said webs adjacent to said positioning means and retain the same in their adjusted positions, and an actuating device, the operation of which will cause said webs to be first positioned by said positioning means and then engaged by said clamping device.

' scribed a table to support a plurality of superimposed webs, a clamping device j arranged adjacent to one end of said table to hold said 2. In a mechanism of the character dewebs against relative movement, means for operating said clamping device, d means controlled by the operation of said c amping device to engage said webs and adjacentv to said end of saidtable and position the same with relation one'to the other beforethey are gripped by. said clamping'device- I 3. In a mechanism of the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed apertured webs, a device to extend through the apertures in the several webs and operable to adjust said webs with a relation one to the other, and a device having means to actuate said adjusting device and to cause said webs to be gripped at a point adoted device and to then clamp said webs against a fixed part of said mechanism, and means far actuating said clamping member.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed apertur'ed webs, a positioning pin mounted adjacent to said table for tilting movement with relation thereto and adapted to extend through the apertures in the several webs, and means for first imparting movement to said positioning pin and then clamping said webs at a point adjacent-t0 said pin to hold the same against movement.

6. In a mechanism of the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed apertured webs, a positioning pin movably mounted adjacent to said table and adapted to extend through the apertures in the several webs, a clamping bar to clamp said'webs against movement and having a part to engage and actuate said pin before said webs are clamped against movement and means for actuating said clamping bar.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed apertured webs, a positionlng pin movably mounted adjacent to said table. and adapted to extend through the apertures in the several webs, said pin having its upper end beveled, a clam limg) ar havin an opening through which t e eveled on of said pin may extend, and means for actuating said clamping bar to cause the same to first engage and actuate said pin and to then clamp said webs and hold the same against movement. v

8. In a mechanism of. the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed webs, means to act on the forward portions of said web to position the same with relation to each other, and means arranged adjacentto the respective ends of said table to clamp said webs a ainst relative movement, and means for rst causin ing said Webs to hold the same against move ment, a clamping device arranged adjacent to the rear edge of said table to hold said webs against movement, and a single device for controlling the operation of both clamping devices.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, a table-to support a plurality of superimposed apertured webs, the rear portion of said table being vertically movable, fixed clamping members cooperating with the rear portion of said table to clamp the webs against movement, positioning pins movably mounted adjacent to theforward ed e of said table and adapted to extend throug the ap-' ertures in the several webs, a clamping member arranged to first engage and'actuate said positioning pins and to then clamp said webs against movement, and means to actuate the last mentioned clamping memberand said table to cause said webs to be first positioned on said table and to be then clamped against movement.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, a table to support a plurality of superimposed apertured webs, the rear portion of said table being vertically movable, fixed clamping members. cooperating with the rear portion of said table to clamp the webs against movement, positioning pins movably mounted adjacent to the forward ed e of said table and. adapted to extend through the apertures in the several webs, a clamping member arranged to first engage and actuate said positioning pins and to then clamp said webs against movement, pivoted arms to support and actuate the last mentioned clamping member, other pivoted arms to actuate the rear portion of said table, and means for operating said arms in such relation one to the other'as to cause said positioning pins to be first operated to position the sheets with relation one to the other and to then cause said webs to be clamped at both ends-thereof.

. 12. In a mec scribed, a table to support a plurality of superimposed apertured webs, the rear portion of said table being vertically movable, fixed clamping members cooperating with the rear portion of said table to-clamp the webs against movement, positioning pins movably mounted adjacent to the forward edge of said table adapted to extend through the apertures in the several webs, a clamping member arranged to first engage and actuate said positioning pins and tothen clamp said webs against movement, pivoted arms to support and actuate the last mentioned clamping member, other pivoted arms to actuate the rear portion of said table, springsacting on said arms to move the same in a direction to cause said webs to be clamped, means for moving said arms against the action of said springs, and means for so controlling the movement of. said arms by said springs that said positioning pins will act 11 on said webs before the rear portion of sa1d table has moved said webs into cont-act with the rear clamping devices.

13. In a mechanism of the character described, means for supporting a roll of superimposed apertured webs, a table to support superimposed portions of said webs, the rear ortion of said table being vertically mova 1e, fixed clamping devices cooperating ing means to cause the operation of said positioning pin, and means for actuating the last mentioned clamping device and said table to cause said webs to be first positioned with relation one to the other and then clamped against movement.

14. In a mechanism of the character described, means for supporting a roll of superimposed apertured webs, a table to support superimposed portions of said webs, the rear ortion of said table being vertically movable, fixed clamping devices cooperating with the rear portion of said table to clamp said webs against movement, a guide interposed between the support for said roll and said table and having individual slots for the respective webs, a positionin pin movably mounted adjacent to said ta 1e and ar-' anism of the character de-' g ear end of said table being movable vertically; clamping members cooperating with the rear end-of said table to clamp the webs against movement, a web positionin de vice arranged near the forward end 0 said table, a clamping device .to clamp the forward ends of said sheets against movement,

said clamping device having means for causing the o eration of said web positioning device, a ifting member to impart vertical movement to the rear end of said table, an arm connected with said lifting device and extending forwardly therefrom, a second arm connected with the clampin device at the front end of said table an pivotally connected with said forwardly extending arm, and an actuating lever to control the movement of said arms, of a device connected with said actuating lever and said lifting member to' so control the movements thereof as to cause said web positioning device to be actuated before the webs are clamped against movement.

16. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a table to support a. plurality of superimposed webs, the rear. end of saidtabl'e being movable vertically, clamping members cooperating with the rear end of said table to clamp the webs against movement, a web positioning device arranged near the forward end of sa1d table, a clamping device to clamp the forward ends of said sheets against movement, said clamping device having means for causing the operation ofsaid web positioning device, a lifting member'to impart vertical movement to the rear end of said table, an arm connected with said lifting device and extending forwardly therefrom, a second arm connected with the clamping device at the front end of said table and pivotally connected with said forwardly extending arm, spring actuated means for moving said arms in one direction, an actuating lever ivotally mounted on said forwardly exten ing arm and arranged to move said arms in the other direction, of a toggle having one member thereof. connected with said actuating lever in advance of its point of connection'with said forwardly extending arm and having its other member mounted for movement about a fixed axis and connected with said lifting member.

17. In a mechanism of the character described,.the combination with a table to support a plurality of superimposed webs, the rear portion of said table being capable of vertical movement, fixed clamping members cooperating with the rear end of said table to clamp said webs against movement, a' transverse shaft arranged beneath the rear portion of said table, a lifting member 'rigidly secured to said shaft and engaging the lower surface of said table, an arm ri 'd-' ly secured to said shaft and extending orwardly therefrom, a second transverseshaft arranged near the forward end of said table, a clamping device secured to the last mentioned transverse shaft and having a part arranged to clamp the forward ends of said webs against movement, a rearwardly ex tending arm rigidly connected with the last mentioned shaft and pivotally connected with said forwardly extending arm, a web positioning device arranged at the forward end of said table, said web positioning de vice and the clamping device at the forward end of said table having cooperating parts to cause the operation of said web positioning device, spring actuated means to move said shafts in directions to cause said actuating member to elevate said table and to cause the forward clamping device to be moved into an operative .position, an actuating lever pivotally mounted between its ends on. said forwardly extending arm and having its forward portion arranged beneath the transverse shaft at the forward end of said table, and means connected with the rear end of said actuating lever to impart movement thereto, of a toggle the rear member of which is provided with a hook shaped portion to pivotally engage the rear transverse shaft, a bracket carried by the rear member of said toggle and engaging the upper edge of said lifting member, the forward member of said toggle extending beneath the point of connection of said actuating lever with said forwardly extending arm and being held against vertical movement with relation to said forwardl extending arm, said forward member 0 said toggle having a part to engage over the upper edge of the forward portion of said actuating lever.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature Q hereto.

CLEMENT J. ROWE. 

